Pet Auto Safety

You would be surprised at home many things around your home can be harmful to your pet. If you have a puppy or a curious adult dog, please read this following article on the common houshold dangers to your dog:

Protect Your Pet - Common Household Dangers to Your Dogs
By: Guy Berg

The most obvious reason you should care for your pet is so that your pet lives a long and happy life and gives you happiness in return. But now there is another reason. Cities all over the US are cracking down on people who abuse or neglect their pets. Neglect includes leaving a dog chained in the yard day-in and day-out or letting a dog roam the neighborhood. Just because someone regularly feeds a dog, a dog constantly chained up or allowed to roam can eventually lead to a dangerous dog which is more inclined to attack or bite people than a dog who is properly cared for. Check out this fantastic article written by someone in a city who is issuing citations for dog owners who do not properly are for or restrain their dogs:

Citations Issued to Dog Owners Who Do Not Properly Care For or Restrain Their Dogs

The shelters are full all over the United States due to people giving up their pets.  This economy is making it more difficult for people to pay their bills. But before you give up your pets, consider all the quality benefits you will be losing. Studies have shown that pets help us with our health and stress. The comfort of a pet can help with various health issues including high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. See our blog post on health provided by animals. If you are stuggling in this economy, don’t you think it would be easier to deal with stress by keeping your best friend around?

Besides, caring for your pets are not really all that expensive. You can get inexpensive dog food which may not have all the specialties of the name brand dog foods but it is still adequately nutritious. You can also purchase pet medications and their shots online from sites which provide vast discounts as compared to the costs of veterinarians. Be sure to research any such sites to make sure they are a legitimate company selling legitimate products. You can get recommendations from humane societies and check to see if the site is owned by a company who is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Other than food and shots, there is really no other expense associated with keeping your pet. Check out this heart-warming article on a woman who lived in her car with her dogs. She may have lost her home, but she has not lost her beloved pets. There’s no doubt that they will help her get through these hard times.

The GMC Acadia prevailed over two dozen other entries vying for the award.SAN DIEGO, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ — The very attributes that make the GMC Acadia crossover one of the most comfortable and safest vehicles for people have been recognized by leading pet safety advocate Bark Buckle UP, which recently gave Acadia its Pet Safe Choice Award for 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il5A3veguX0The GMC Acadia prevailed over two dozen other entries vying for the award. Acadia features GM’s OnStar safety and security technology that includes emergency services and hands-free navigation; standard third-row bench seating for restraining pets and ample room behind the seats for pet crates; tinted windows, tri-zone climate controls and a large, power-operated sunshade for comfort; and top federal and insurance industry scores for crashworthiness.In addition, Acadia enjoys best-in-class fuel economy for owners who take their pets along for the ride, with an EPA-estimated 24 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models.Sixty-three percent (or 71.1 million households) own a pet, according to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, and devoted owners spent more than $43 billion on pet products and services in 2008.”Many of our customers treat their pets like members of the family, and Acadia provides the pet-friendly safety and comfort features they are looking for,” said Cheryl Catton, executive director of advertising and promotion for Buick, Pontiac & GMC. Catton accepted the Bark Buckle UP award at the recent Chicago Auto Show, where dogs from the American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. program and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office helped demonstrate the importance of restraining pets in vehicles.”Not only does the Acadia provide first-class transport for our customers’ pets, it is filled with safety and security features that enhance pet safety — including technology such as OnStar, which can direct owners to the nearest veterinary clinic in the event of an on-road emergency,” said Catton. “In addition, GM has been a leader in urging that pets be restrained in vehicles and not be left unattended in parked vehicles.”"With so many pet owners traveling with their pets today, safety is key — not just for pets, but for humans who travel with them — to making a conscientious purchase,” according to Christina Selter, a pet safety expert and founder of Bark Buckle UP. “We believe the GMC Acadia has earned high marks in this area for its outstanding leadership in car design and function.”Selter said more pets are on the move than ever, with an estimated 300-percent jump in car travel from 2005. Unfortunately, statistics from the Traffic Safety Evaluation Guide show that 98 percent of pets ride unstrained, she said.The laws of physics mean that in a 35-mph crash, a 60-pound pet can cause an impact equivalent to 2,700 pounds, injuring itself and human occupants in the vehicle. In addition, an injured pet that is unrestrained can escape from a wrecked car, biting first responders or causing another collision.For more information on the GMC Acadia, visit www.gmc.com. To learn more about other Bark Buckle UP 2009 winners, visit www.barkbuckleup.com.General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world’s largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 244,500 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.SOURCE General Motors CorporationWebsite: http://media.gm.comWebsite: http://www.gm.comWebsite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il5A3veguX0Website: http://www.gmc.comWebsite: http://www.barkbuckleup.comContact: Debbie Frakes, Director, Buick, Pontiac and GMC Communications, 313-667-2579, debbie.frakes@gm.comMedia Bark Buckle UP, 619-239-BARK (2275) bark@barkbuckleup.com

Do you like to be environmentally conscious? I do! I used to use plastic grocery bags to pick up after my dog. But then I bought those inexpensive canvas bags for my groceries. So after running out of plastic bags, I started buying inexpensive diaper bags from the dollar store as my dog poopie waste bags. They worked great but it was a lot of plastic to put into the trash and it kept the doggie doo from naturally disintegrating. Then I found these great biodegradable dog poopie waste bags. These biodegradable dog poopie waste bagsare a bit more expensive but definitely worth it. They are scented so they smell good and best of all, they will dissolve naturally into the environment!

Hip dysplasia is all too common with large breed dogs now days. It is especially prevalent because of those unscrupulous dog breeders who breed dogs just to make money. Generally, they have not done any research or testing on the dogs they are breeding in order to make sure they won’t pass on any defects. Well, if you want to buy a quality dog, here is what you do to make sure your new dog will be unlikely to have hip dysplasia problems in the future - Check out the OFA.

Who is OFA and what do they do? The OFA, which stands for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated “to the advancement of canine health”. One of the primary directives of the OFA is “To collate and disseminate information concerning orthopedic and genetic diseases of animals.” Basically, for a small fee, they test dogs for various genetic problems, including hip dysplasia. A good breeder will have both parents tested for hip dysplasia and will be certified by the OFA. And a good breeder will be glad to show you the certification before you buy their puppies. Feel free to check out the OFA website for more information.

http://www.offa.org/

Dogs may be more tolerant to cold weather than people, but dogs can still die in this winter weather. If your dog is an outside dog, make sure they have shelter away from the wind, sleet, and snow. For added warmth, put a blanket or some straw in their shelter. Always bring your dog indoors during severe weather.

The most obvious Indication that your dog is freezing is the shivering. But if the dog is shivering excessively, then your dog may need emergency care. Other symptoms of freezing include weakness and the inability to use their legs. If you notice these severe symptoms, practice emergency care for your dog by immediately bringing them into a warm place. Wrap your dog in warm blankets but do not rub them as this may promote frostbite. You can also wrap warm bottles in towels and put around your dog. You don’t want to put hot bottles in direct contact with your dog and you don’t want to warm your dog up too quickly so do not submerge them in warm water. Also do not use electric heat from an electric heater or an electric blanket.

Check your dog’s feet and toes for signs of frostbite. The skin may be discolored and may not warm up with the rest of the body. If you notice frostbite or your dog does not stop shivering, take them to the vet immediately.

For more emergency pet care information visit http://emergencycarefordogs.info.

Leave Your Pet(s) at a Boarding Kennel

The major benefit of having your pet cared for at a boarding kennel is that they are under almost constant care. However, you may want to research boarding kennels before you elect this option. Some have smaller cages with no outside access while others have both inside and outside access. And some have a large day care area where your pets can play with others during the day.

The drawback of having your pet stay in a boarding kennel is that you have to arrange things in advance just as you would a pet sitter. You will also have to get something from your vet certifying that your pet is up to date on their shots. Bordetella is an additional prevention that may have to be administered prior to boarding. Bordetella is generally not a standard treatment for dogs like rabies and DHLPPC shots. Another drawback is the cost. A simple boarding cost will apply but some boarding kennels charge additional fees for administering medications, day play sessions, and larger boarding cages.

The best way to decide which option to choose is to know your pet. Maya, for example, is very sociable. She would not do well at home by herself for so long. I will either have her go and stay with a friend or most likely, I will take her to Woof’s Play-n-Stay Pet Hotel. They are a boarding kennel with a day play area. The day play is already included in the cost so I don’t have to pay extra for her to socialize with the other dogs and with the dog-loving day care workers. Sephi, on the other hand, prefers her solitude and would much rather be at home. If I can’t get a friend to come by and take care of her, I know she would love for Ron with Grand-Paws Pet Sitting Service to come visit.

So, the most important factor in determining which option to choose it so know your pet.  Other factors, of course, come into play, such as cost and convenience, but your pet’s happiness and well-being comes first.

Hire a Pet Sitter

The benefits of this option is somewhat similar to having a friend or family member come by your home. Other benefits of hiring a pet sitter is that they are a lot less likely to have something come up which prevents them from coming to visit. My dogs have a great pet sitter, Ron with Grand-Paw’s Pet Sitting Services. My dogs love Ron and Ron loves them. Ron is very reliable and if there is some chance he can’t make it, one of the other pet sitters can come by instead. The drawback of hiring a pet sitter is you have to arrange things well in advance as they may be booked by the holiday season. Also, they will have to have time to familiarize themselves with your dog when you are not home to make sure your dog allows them inside. It would be a shame to hire a pet sitter to only find that your dog will not let them inside and you are already out of town unable to do anything about it. Another drawback is the cost. You would want the pet sitter to come by 2-3 times a day which can end up costing more than a boarding kennel.

I want to take my dogs with me when I visit my parents in Texas this year, but depending on my mode of travel, I will probably have to leave them in Kansas City. If I drive, I may be able to take my dogs with me. But it is a very long drive (12+ hours) during this time of year, I have to worry about driving in the snow. My other option is to fly. Whenever I fly to Texas, my dogs are sometimes allowed to fly as well. But because they are so big they are only allowed to go as cargo and only if the weather is not too hot or too cold. Due to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), animals are only allowed to fly as cargo during moderate temperatures. The holidays get very cold here in Kansas city so if I fly, chances are that the weather will be too cold for the dogs to fly as well. Check out PetsOnTheGo.com for more information on the regulations regarding pets flying on commercial flights.

So what do I do with my pets to ensure that they are properly taken care of during the holidays? Since you may also be leaving your pets behind while you travel this holiday season, there are a few options I’d like to share with you. The first thing you can do to have your pets taken care of during the holidays is to have a friend or family member take care of them. Or you could hire a pet sitter. And another option is to leave your pet(s) at a boarding kennel. We will go over the benefits and disadvantages of each of these options over a period of three parts. Today is Part One which covers the benefits and disadvantages of having a friend or family member take care of your pet(s) during the holidays.

Have a Friend or Family Member Take Care of Your Pet(s)

This is probably the best option if you have a friend or family member who is not also traveling out of town for the holidays - Especially if your friend or family member is very familiar with your pets. Your dog or cat will know you are gone and it will help their anxiety if someone else is around that they know and love. If this is an option for you, the next thing to decide is if your pet will stay at your friend’s house or if your friend will periodically come by your house. There are benefits and drawbacks for both of these.The benefit of your pet staying at your friend’s house is that your friend will provide almost constant companionship and monitoring. The drawback of your pet staying at your friend’s house is that your friend may not know your pet’s habits and therefore may not be as observant as required. For example, if you cat likes to slip outside when you are not paying attention, or your dog tends to dig under or jump over the fence when they are outside, or your pet likes to get into the garbage.

The benefit of your pet staying at your home and having your friend or family member come by is that your pet is in familiar territory. Some pets may not do well when they are away from home, even if it is with someone they know. The drawback to having your friend come by is that something may come up where they are unable to make a visit. With no other alternative in place, your pet may be left alone for very long hours with no chance to eat or go outside to potty. Not only that, this would be a great inconvenience for your friend or family member if they do not live within a few minutes of your house. Another drawback is that your pet may have separation anxiety because you are gone so long. Even your friend coming by may not be enough.